It’s been over 15 years since the Queen’s men’s football team last won the Yates Cup, and this season, Gaels are gearing up for a long-awaited championship.
On Nov. 1, the Queens men’s football team finally got their revenge on the Windsor Lancers 36-25, and have advanced to the 117th edition of the Yates Cup. Coming off a decisive win over the McMaster Marauders in the quarterfinal, the Gaels had some unfinished business after dropping their homecoming game against the Lancers.
The game got off to a slow start, with defence and special teams being the dominant facets of the game in the first quarter. The play of the quarter was a punt block by Jalen Grabell, Comm ’26, leaving good ball position for the Queen’s offence. The drive ultimately ended in a field goal and served as the only points of the quarter.
Queen’s started with the ball in the second quarter. However, being deep in their own territory, they were forced to punt to mid-field. Windsor took advantage of the great field position, making a couple of key passes, leading to the first touchdown of the game.
The Gaels offence responded right back, with a 9-play drive down the field that ended up in a field goal, pushing the score to 7-6 Windsor. After a couple of unsuccessful drives, the Queen’s defence stepped up, with a forced fumble by Oliver Jackson, ArtSci ’27, leading to the Queen’s offence regaining the ball on Windsor’s five-yard line. This resulted in Alex Vreeken. Kin ’26, making a great play under pressure to Nathan Falconi, ArtSci ’26. The Lancers struck back just before the half and took the lead 14-13.
In the third quarter, Windsor pinned Queen’s in their own territory early, leading to good field position that Windsor took advantage of with a safety and a touchdown and for a 23-13 lead. After another Queen’s safety, the offence made two big catches, including a touchdown grab by Logan Walton, ArtSci ’28, consolidating the lead to 25-20.
The fourth quarter started with a bang. On the second play of the quarter, Jared Chisari, MSc ’26, ran for 60 yards for a touchdown, giving Queen’s a 27-25 lead. The Queen’s defence then shut the Windsor offence down drive after drive, giving the Queen’s offence opportunities to add on to the lead. Chisari got his second touchdown of the game and provided the insurance late in the game to take an 11-point lead and seal the game.
Notable players included Chisari, who ran for 176 yards and 2 touchdowns, and Jacob Baldwin, ArtSci ’28, with a team-high 11 tackles, along with a sack.
The Gaels will travel to Waterloo on Nov. 8 to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks to compete in the Yates Cup. Queen’s football will be looking for its 24th Yates Cup, and its first since 2009.
Tags
Alex Vreeken, Oliver Jackson, Steve Snyder, Windsor Lancers, Yates Cup
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